Fluid-cooled electrode holder



June 6,- 1944.

H. A. JACKSON FLUID COQLED ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed June l0, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A hw NK M.. f i. dup] R. .a N .l f l r., N@ S wm ww m w# Q A f 4 l \\\\.\\\\\\`\\\/////l/v// y Y u Y 1,7/ A l B rllm/llllmwm L@ ,/l \\\\\\\\\"\|l|||\N`/... /f//l/l//f/ mm. wm wm Q ITM. wn. iT m. /w////// ,n M f, a mm s lTm. LVW o wm June 6, 1944. H. A. JACKSON FLUID COOLED ELECTRODE HOLDER 2 sheets-sheet 2 J u .1.4,Mnmvwmwmwvumwmvwwmwwmm.-,., r illllllulll l, v v h fd, m .u 1 O. 1 e www n u J d e m V vw nimm/fm Patented June 6, 19444 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOLDER lionel A. Jackson, Detroit, Mich. Appllmiollllll l.. lm, sedi! N0. {4,117

(Cl. 21H) Tins invention relates to welding electrode holders and particularly to a holder of this We having means for coolingthe same in use.

It is well known that in welding operations extremely high temperatures are encountered and holders employed for gripping the electrodes become hot and uncomfortable to use. The holder is provided with a handle of-electric insulating material and although this does help to reduce the transmission of heat to the hand of the operator it is usually ineffective when the holder is operated for long periods of time or when the electrode is used to a point close to theholdex'.V

An important object of this invention is to provide a novel electrode holder having means therein providing for the passage of cooling fluid.

The holder is so constructed that it iscooled in use throughout its entire length, including the handle which is grasped by the hand of the operator. Another important object of this invention is to provide a fluid cooled holder which is ecohomical to make and assemble andwhich even with the provision of the iluidcooling means weighs little if anymore than a holder without this feature.

Animportant feature of the invention is the provision of means for cooling not only the gripping means for holding the electrode but alsoy the insulated handle which is grasped by the operator. A novel provision is made for directing a portion at least of the cooling fluid upon-the insulating handle. 'I'he nuid cooling` medium which is preferred is air under pressure. At one "point ln its travel slr ls directed against surfaces oi' the handle and preferably against the inside surfaces thereof. Preferably the cooling air after passage through the electrode gripping sections of the holder is allowed to discharge freely inside the holder and in' auch a direction against the inside surfaces thereof as to maintain the,

same at a reduced comfortable temperature.

In one form of the invention, a novel economical method of construction and assembLv proer embodying features of the invention,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the holder at right angles to that in Fig. 2 and along line 8 3 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the holder along line "-4 ofllig. 3, v

Pig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the holder along line i-i of Fig. 2, i I

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view of the holder along line .-8 of Fig. 3, l

IIiig. 'l is a side view, partly in section, of a modified holder embodying features of the invention,

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view along line l-l of Fig. 7, and

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view along line of Fig. 8.

For illustrative purposes the invention is emholder is provided with means for gripping an electrode. This means in the illustrated type of holder comprises a pair of law members Il and i2. One jaw member, Il, has a widened end section Il which is received in a tubular -or sleeve-like handle Il of electrical insulating material. The other jaw member l! is pivotally vides a circulating air passage in the interior of one of the members which grips the electrode.

I The air circulating system is thus effectively.

concealed and protected. In another form of the invention, a separate tube is provided on the outside of the same member. The novel provision of a groove around the member provides a seat in which the tube is protectingly received. In either form of the invention. the discharge end of the air passage opens 'out inside pin il to the jaw member Il. It is upwardly bent as it extends toward the handle and means in the form of a.coil spring Il enclosed in telescoping insulating cups 22-24 serves to yieldingly space the Jaws apart at this point in order 'to cause the outer or forward sections of the Jaws to press together.. Grooved plates 28-25 are provided on the inner jaws of the outer ends to tightly clamp an electrode therebetween.

The tubular handle II is removably attached the insulating handle. Preferably, an aDertured toi the end 'section I4 of the member Il in any .n suitable way, such as by screw 28. The handle projects beyond the end of the, member a substantial distance. A cavity 30 is formed in the center of the end section il 'and receives the terminal end of an electric cable 82. The latter may be soldered in place or held in the cavity by a set screw 38. The cable enters the open rear end of the handle. Over the jaw members there are i provided insulating pieces 38 of the type described and.clai rned in my. aforesaid` patent. These insulating lpieces are preferably 1 channelshaped as shown and protect the sides as well as the outside top and bottom surfaces voi' the members. Y

The present invention relates tothe lprovision of means for cooling' the holder by a `fluid medium. A conduit is provided which forms a circulatory system through which the-'cooling medium is passed. Inthe embodiment of the invention in Figs. 2 to 6.the conduit is in the form ofv a pas- Y compressor unit shown generally at t6 in Fig. l.

Air pressure delivered by this unit enters one end of the passage 38 and ows therethrough and discharges from the other end thereof. It is an important object of this invention t provide means which` directs at least a portion of the cooling medium upon the insulating handie I8 and thereby maintain the same at a relatively reduced temperature while the holder is in use. Preferably this is accomplished by pro- `Qviding a special device which receives the air discharging from the outlet end of the passage 38 and directs the same against surface portions of the handle. 4In the illustrated embodiment of the invention'in Figs. l to 6, this is accomplished by the provision of a tube 48 having a series of apertures 50 in the side wall thereof. This tube forms an extension to the dischargeend of the passage 38 but preferably terminates first insidevl` the rear end of the handle where it is inconspicusage formed inside one of the jaw members. In

through the end in the handle on opposite sides of the cable receiving cavity 30. As is evident in the sectional views. Figs. 4. 5 and 6, the pasous. It is desirable to close the end-of the tube 48 by a suitable plug 52 in order to direct all the air laterally from thetube. It is obvious that when air is forced und'er pressure through the discharge end of the tube it will. continuously discharge from the apertures in the tube 48 directly against the inside surfaces of the handle and cool the same. The vair will be relatively cooi even though lit has passed through the hottest region of the holder. The sudden release 'or reduction of'pressure as it escapes from the apertures 50 acts to reduce the temperature of the air.

Although an apertured tube of the kind described is preferred for cooling the handle, it is sage is deep` within the member I8. It is preferably formedin` the process of` manufacture by making the member i8 of two longitudinal sections provided on their confronting faces with registering grooves which together form the passage. The vtwo sections are welded or 4otherwise -joined together to form an integral member. 'I'he division line between the two sections of member la is along the section line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is therefore a frontal view of the bottom longitudinal section as it wouldappear prior to being ioined to the upper section. The sections of member I0 are preferably cast with the grooves in 'corresponding positions for registration.

40 the handle before entering the passage 38.v Inh understood that other means may be provided for using the air delivered to the holder. For

example, the inlet tube might be constructed to discharge a portion of the air delivered to it int/J stead of theapertured tube 48, other means might be substituted for using the return air for cooling the handle. All or a portion of the return air mightV be lconducted. to a point outside the handle and blown directly on the outside sur' face of the handle and the hand of the operator holding the same. The tube 48 itself might be extended beyond the'end of the handle and bent to direct the air upon the outsidev of the handle.

50u11 these and other modinoanons fau within the scope of the invention which is to utilize the 'I'he cavity 30 which receives the vend of the cableis similarly formed. A semi-circular recess isl formed in each longitudinal section of the member I8 at Athe rear end portion thereof' and opening out through the rear end. 'I'he two recesses together form the cavity 30 when the two sections of the member i8 are welded together; The extremitiesof the passage 33 are slightly logged to pass around the cable cavity and extend along opposite sides thereof as is evident in Fig. l3. The passage is also arranged to pass around and between the stud pins I8 which are used to secure the clamping plate 28 to the other end of member Ill.

As previously mentioned. this invention is adapted forcooling by a gaseous medium such as air. Air is delivered under-pressure to one end of passage .38 and caused to travel therethrough.` Fitted in one end of passage 38 is an inlet pipe or tube 42 which forms an extension of the passage and preferably extends to a point In Figs. '1 to 9 a moalncation of thev invention v air conducted to the. electrode gripping parts of the holder for also `cooling the handle and the hand of the operator.

is shown which uses a separate tube for the iluid cooling conduit throughout its length. ltefenl ring to the drawings, the assembly of the electrode holder is generallythe same as previously 80 described and like parts are'simiiarly numbered.

The uid conduit in this instance comprisesxa is. however, provided with a longitudinal groove 82'A along `each side and around the front end thereof. The groove is of a .size and depth to completely receive the tube. The lateral dimen'- --sions of the holder are thereby not increased by this provision. I'he channeled insulating mateadiac'ent the end of the handle. To the outside extremity of this tube there is` detachably connected a exible hose 4l whichcoirlmunicates rial 88 extends over the grooves and the tube con..

cealing these elements from view and protecting them in use. i

The groove 82 and the tubes are .logged slightith a source of iluid pressure, such as the all' i5 ly in the end receivedin A the handle in order.` to

serves as the inlet and is adapted to be con.-

nected to a ilexible iluidl pressure hose. The other end Il is closed oi! and perforated similarly as tube Il. It is obvious that the modification in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 will function similarlya to that described for the modification in Figs. l to 6 What I claim: 1. A welding electrode holder including, in combination, a member which cooperates with other means for holding an electrode, aninsulating` handle attached to one end of said member, a fluid conduit associated with said member and extending from inside the handle to the opposite end of the member and returning-to the handle, and means for introducing iluid under pressure to one end of the conduit in said handle, and means associated with the other end of the conduit for discharging the iiuld outwardly toward the inside wall ol the handle.

2. A welding electrode holder comprising, in.

combination, a member 'adapted to cooperate with other means for holding an electrode, a sleeve like handle oi insulating material attached to and surrounding one end of said member, a channel shaped sheath oi' insulating material covering the opposite end ci said member with the exception of its electrode engaging i'ace, a cooling fluid conducting conduit extending longitudinally along said member between the member and the insulation material from the end inside the handle to the opposite end and returning to the end inside the handle, and means for delivering cooling fluid into one end of said conduit inside the handle.

3. A welding electrode holder comprising, in combination, a member adapted to cooperate with other means for holding an electrode, a sleevelike handle of insulating material attached to one end of said member, a conduit extending longitudinally through said member from the end inside the handle to the opposite end and returning to the end inside the handle, a source o! air pressure, and means connecting said source of air pressure with one end oi' the conduit inside the handle, and means associated 'withthe' other end of the conduit inside the handle'vior discharging the air leaving the conduit radially toward the inside surface oi' the handle.

' 4. A welding electrode holder comprising, -in combination, a member adapted to cooperate with other means for holding an electrode, a sleevelike insulating handle secured over one end of said member and projecting therebeyond, a ccnduit associated with said member extending from the end inside of said handle to a point short oi' the opposite end and returning to the end inside the handle, meansjor delivering fluid under pressure to one oi' the ends o! said conduit in the handle and causing the same to travel through the conduit and return to the other end of the conduit inside the handle, and a tube section in that portion of the handle'proiecting beyond said member forming an extension to the discharge end ol the conduit and provided with one or more openings in itscircumference for discharging the fluid toward the inside surface oi' the handle.

5. A welding electrode holder comprising, in combination, a member adapted to cooperate with other means for holding an electrode, asleevelike handle of insulating material enclosed over one end of the member and projecting therebeyond. a conduit extending from the end of the member inside the handle to a point short of the opposite end and returning to the end inside ,the handle, and a section oi' tube forming anextension to one end o! the conduit and projecting beyond the end oi' the member inside the handle, said tube section provided intermediate its length with a series of openings.

8. A welding electrode holder comprising, in

combination, a member adapted to cooperate with other means for holding an electrode, a sleevelike handle of insulating material secured to one end of said member and projecting therebeyond. a conduit extendingl substantially the length of the member from the end inside the handle to a point short of the opposite end and returning to the end inside the handle, a pair of tubes attached to the end of said member inside the handle and forming'extensions of the conduit, one of said tubes projecting to a point adjacent the end of the handle and being open-ended for coupling to a source of iluid supply, the other tube terminating short of the end of the handle and having its outer end at least partially closed against the escape of iluid therefrom, and pne or more openings in the side of said last mentioned tube.

7. A welding electrode holder or the like having a handle which is grasped by the hands of the operator and gripping means for holding an electrode extending from the handle, means for cooling the interior of the gripping means including a cooling iiuid passage extending therethrough, said cooling iiuid passagey having its discharge end opening into the interior of said handle whereby cooling iiuid caused to be passed therethrough to cool said gripping means will also serve to cool the handle.

8. A welding electrode holder o r the like having a handle which is grasped by the hands of the operator and gripping means extending from l one end of the handle for holding an electrode,

dle.

9. A welding electrode holder or the like having a handle which is grasped by the hands oi.'

the operator and gripping means extending from one end of the handle for holding an electrode, a cooling iluid passage associated with said gripping means having its inlet and outlet in the I handle, means for delivering cooling fluid to the iluid inlet or said passage. and means for directing cooling tiuid discharging from said outlet laterally toward the sides of the handle.

10. A welding electrode holder including a handle of insulating material and a' member pro-l jecting therefrom adapted to cooperate with other means for holding an electrode, said member formed o! two longitudinally abutting parts having theirabutting laces correspondingly grooved to form a iluid passage extending from the end in the handle to a point short of the )nd returning tothe end in the handle.

1l. A welding electrode holder including a sleeve-like handle of insulating material and means projecting from one end thereof forfjgripping an electrode including an elongated member havingone end received in the handle, said member formed of 4two longitudinal `parts brought into abutment andprovided on their abutting laces with registering grooves forming a Ypassage extending from the end inthe handle .to a point short of the opposite end and returning to the end in the handle, and a tube attached to the end' i the member in the handle and forming anrextension of one end of said passage, said tube provided with one pr more openings in the `lside thereof.

.12. A welding electrode holder comprising, in combination, a pair o! jaw members adapted to cooperate with one another to hold an electrode.

v one of Vsaid jaw members formed of two cast metal longitudinally abutting parts having their f adjacent laces provided with registering grooves forming cooling fluid passage extending substantially the length of the member, means whichis grasped by the hand of the operator for using the holder, means for supplying cooling iiuid to one end o! the cooling-duid `passage to cause the iiuid to pass therethrough, and .means at the4 other end Of'said cooling iuid passage for directing the cooling fluid flowing therefrom upon :said hand grasping means..

' 13. A welding electrode holder comprisinsdn combination, a; member adapted to-'cooperate with other means i'or holding an electrode, a handle enclosed over one end oi. saidjinember. a tube leading from within said handle extend- -ing along one side of said' member and around 'the exposed end thereof and returning along the other side of the member and entering the hanv die, means for supplying cooling nuid to one end o! the tube to cause the-same to travel the length thereof and return tothe handle, and means vin the handle for directing cooling mild-discharging i'rom 'the other `end of the tube upon the handle.

14. A welding electrode lholder comprising. inA

combination, a member adapted to cooperate =with other means (or-.holding an electrode, a sleeve-like handleoi' insulating material enclosing o ne end o f said member and projecting therebeyond, said member provided with a longitudinal groove extending along both sides and around the' other end of the member. a metal tube `arranged in said groove so thatI it follows the groove around the member and the ends thereof enteithe handle, means for connecting one end of said tube to a source oi cooling fluid, and means on the other end of the tube for directing the cooling fluid discharging therefrom laterally toward the inside walls of the handle.

sans

combination. s'. cylindrical insulating handle por.-"A

tion.- an electrically conductive member mounted within one end of the handle portion and proiectingl therebeyond forming an electrodeV gripping Jaw portionrsaidmemberprovided witha.

cooling fluid'passageway. an electric cable' en tering the opposite end ofthe handle anda-secured ,to said member therein, said handle portion having a substantial part of its length forming member therein, said handle portion having a substantial part of its length forming a jacket spaced from the cable beyond the end of. said conductive member, said member provided with afcooling iiuid passage extending linearly there-l adiacent to the insulating handle, and means for directing cooling fluid through said pasage and discharging same into the jacket forming portion of the handle. i4

17. A welding electrode holder comprising, in

combination, an electrically conductive member, an electric cable connected to one end oi'- said "member, the other end of said member adapted to serve Vas an electrode gripping jaw, insulation material covering two opposed sides of said mema fluid cooling'passagewayextending along saidltwo opposed sides of saidmember underneath and adjacent to the in ation material, and means for delivering iluid nto'one end of said passageway.

18. A welding electrode holdercomprising, in

' combination, en electrically conductive member.

- 15. Alwelding electrode holder comprising.i n

insulation material.

an-electric cable connected to one end of said member, the other-end o! said member adapted to 'servel las .an electrode gripping Jaw, insulation material partially enclosing said member and delining therewith a cooling fluid passageway arranged between the insulation material and said member. and means for delivering cooling fluid into said passageway to cool saidmember and the HoNEL A. JACKSON.' 

